Importance in Studying History
In researching historical material, primary sources are central. They expose students to first-hand historical information that has not been touched. This information has been preserved and passed down in its original form through the ages allowing historians to craft a nuanced and evidence-based argument.
Secondary sources, on the other hand, offer an analysis or a restatement of primary sources. They often attempt to describe or explain primary sources. Some secondary sources not only analyze primary sources, but use them to argue a contention or to persuade the reader to hold a certain opinion.
Examples of secondary sources include:
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